Disclaimer: This story is rated T/ M (Mature) Content may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. It will most likely contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, suicidal ideations, and strong language.
Part 1 Secrets & Conspiracy
La Push High
Layla's Pov
Due to the freezing rain and sleet, it was an indoor sports day.
I glared at the painted wolf face on the gymnasium wall. The Mascot's fangs and yellow eyes twisted up in a cartoonish snarl.
I couldn't keep focus. I was bitter because I didn't have a superior connection to a wild, gigantic wolf as I once thought.
So many times, Jacob could have told me what he was and chose not to. It made me furious, frustrated, and-
The birdie from batmidden struck me in the face. "Oops," Molly giggled. She believed I was glaring at her instead of the back wall.
"Layla? Are you okay?" Tiffany questioned, concerned. "I'm good," I muttered, holding my head where the goose egg formed.
Jacob cut across the basketball court. "Go away, Jake. I'm fine." I ducked into the girl's dressing room.
He had waited behind for me after PE was completed. "What is with you lately?" Jacob questioned. "What do you mean?"
I knew exactly what he meant.
"You've given me the cold shoulder since my birthday, and I've respected your space, but things are barely moving."
"I don't know." I pulled on my busted locker. Jacob offered to switch with me, but I had said no.
"I think you do. No one's heard from you, even Seth," he pointed out. It was true that the ebb and flow of my relationships were changing.
It was hard to share anything with someone who couldn't keep a secret with the 'pack mind.'
"I need time to think," I spoke slowly, switching out books. "About what?" He blocked my path for answers.
"Everything." Jake blocked my path again when I tried to sidestep him.
"I'm hiring a private investigator. I think Bethany is lying to me about my mom." I fudged the truth a little.
When Niccolo investigated first, I had already discovered that Lily had supposedly left the country, but knowing other supernatural forces were at play, I couldn't know for sure.
"How do you know?" Jacob asked; the personal interrogation was put on hold.
"I called the rehab facilities. Her name wasn't on their roster. Ashley said my mom might be going by a different name, or they couldn't legally tell me."
"Are you sure?" Jacob wrapped an arm around me for comfort. "I know something strange is happening." That much was true.
I sighed under the wing of his touch, a momentary support that kept me sane.
After School
"You're here early," Rowan noted. I was halfway through my designated workout. "And in a bad mood," he said when I said nothing.
"It's been a day. How about you?" I didn't process his response. Rowan warmed up next to me.
I wasn't sure if I should share the La Push pack secret with him yet. For one, it wasn't my secret, and for two, I wasn't sure where Jacob and I stood or where that would leave us.
The thought of more wolves made me feel safer in La Push and comforted me. Now I wasn't wholly responsible for endangering everyone I encountered.
They could improve Rowan's odds against Niccolo and his coven, although I didn't want to put them in danger either.
However, I promised myself that I would eventually tell Rowan for his benefit.
Then there was EJ, with a coven of vampires up the road to worry about. I knew Rowan wouldn't stand for them, vegetarian or not.
Thankfully, his nose was broken, and there was no way for him to hunt them down intentionally.
I flinched, pulling a back muscle on the rowing machine. "Settle down; it's not a marathon." Rowan chided.
I had to keep him busy and warn EJ before Rowan recovered.
Selfishly, I didn't want to lose my friend or tell EJ before he could show me everything between Jacob and Bella.
I bit my lip. Could this work, or was I being absolutely careless?
Rowan and I migrated to the lone diner here in Forks to fuel up after our workout.
"Do you think we'll ever tell Iris?" I asked him. "Is that what's bothering yah? It depends. I still have to tell Aunt Anne about this."
"You do?" I questioned. I figured she knew.
"Aunt Anne is aware that we exist. She grew up close to a veil, but her family rightly didn't want to stay due to politics and to most likely enjoy an unbothered human life until it was time to pay dues. That's when Anne married an American military man; she left before the all seriousness could take place." Rowan explained.
"But the legends-" "Are just stories until they are real." He noted stealing some of my french fries when his plate was licked clean.
"What are you guys doing here?" Iris dipped from a table across the room. It looked like Henry had received some sad news from her and left.
"Grabbing some food after our workout," I answered. "You guys are meeting up without me?" She crossed her arms; the black brace jutted out of her long-sleeve shirt.
Rowan looked at me as if he were about to spill some major news. I shook my head no. He better not insinuate we were dating.
"Relax, pumpkin spice. The lovely Layla hasn't succumbed to your tempestuous cousin yet." Rowan said.
"Whatever, I came over to give you this." It was a flyer for a Seattle rave, Valentine's Day weekend. Caleb was on the EDM mix setlist. I caught Rowan frowning.
"Since I skipped out on you last time, I thought we could try again." Iris shrugged. I loosely agreed, and Rowan looked disgruntled about it.
Once Iris left, Rowan confronted me outside. "You're not going back to Seattle," he stated.
"Until you pick them off one by one, I have to keep the facade going."
"Absolutely not. You didn't see how that monster looked at you." I failed at suppressing the fear on my face.
Living with this curse was one thing for me, but Rowan's confirmation somehow made the threat more tangible.
"It doesn't matter. Besides, how are you going to get to Seattle? At least let me drive."
Rowan crossed his arms, and his contemplative look made me nervous.
"If you get caught with a werewolf, everything I've told you about us would be in that vampire's hands."
I didn't think about that. "We're doing this my way or no way." He climbed into my car. "Is that a yes?" I rushed in.
"If you leave without me or do anything stupid, I'm ripping the wheels off your car," Rowan concluded.
Part 2 Breaking My Own Heart
EJ and I skipped class after lunch on Thursday and met in another meadow.
He continued from where we left off, showing me the visions of Bella's memories through his impeccable gift.
"The Voltori?" I questioned. "The vampires who rule them all," EJ mumbled. I saw them: Kaius, Marcus, Jane, Aro...
The Voltori barely spared Bella, Edward, and Alice. They returned to Forks with a promise that one day soon, Bella would be turned into a vampire.
Bella and Edward were reunited, and their misunderstandings disappeared. Jacob was distraught and felt rightfully betrayed, but he didn't give up on Bella.
The vision EJ showed me now was of Jacob walking with Bella by the familiar bleached-out tree on First Beach.
They were speaking about 'imprinting.' Jacob explained Sam and Emily's horrible situation with Leah, and how Jared imprinted on Kim. Then there was Quil and Claire. 'Isn't Claire in middle school? That's a little young.'...
...' Yeah, Imprinting is like this... an all-encompassing love, like gravity doesn't hold you to the earth anymore; she does. You'd do anything for her, be anything, and become anything she needs: a protector, lover, or friend...' until one day they're as happy as Sam and Emily.' Jacob explained the last part bitterly.
'When do you think it will happen for you?' Bella asked. 'Never.' He immediately answered. 'You can't control it, can you?' Bella said,
"No, but you have to see her.' Jacob explained. 'You've seen less of the world than me.' Bella stated. 'No, I haven't.' Jacob's suddenly piercing eyes stared back.
'I won't see anyone else, Bella, because I only see you even when I close my eyes and try to see something else. Just ask Quil or Embry; it drives them crazy.'
It was hard to watch the rest of the memories; witnessing how in love Jacob was with Bella made me feel...empty or hollow.
EJ paused, asking me if I was alright and okay to continue.
We got as far as Jacob's garage, their big fight over graduation and its significance for her, and the treaty stipulations that would follow.
EJ stopped short of Bella and Edward's private moment in his bedroom, their engagement.
"I think you need more time," EJ recoiled. I had forgotten that in this exchange, EJ could feel my emotions and read my thoughts too.
"Maybe." I just wanted it to be over. I knew we had more to cover, but the Cullens would be looking for him soon.
"Come on." EJ guided me out of the woods towards the trail.
He decided to return to FHS while I stayed in the woods to mull over his visions, which always seemed to tire me out, placing me into a brain fog.
I wandered the forest where I hadn't before. The wind whispered through the tall grass, creating shiny waves of pale green.
I plopped down in the middle of watching the sky change overhead. Jacob really did love Bella.
I must have dozed off because a large wet, sniffing nose nudged me awake. I startled, sitting up.
The small grey wolf jumped back. I stared at it long and hard to assess which one of the La Push boys it may be.
His eyes were dark brown with a honey-colored center. I bit my tongue from saying Seth's name aloud.
Jacob's Pov
"I found her boss." Seth sounded off in the pack's mind.
Layla was lying in the grass West of Forks, deep in the woods where hikers and hunters weren't supposed to be.
"What is she doing there?" I picked up the pace, running toward Seth's location. With nothing better to do, Quil and Embry were converging as well.
"Are you a good boy?" Layla reached up, scratching Seth's chin. He thumped his foot in pleasure. "Hey," I warned.
"What? I am a good boy." Seth leaned into the scratches. I broke through to the clearing with the guys behind me.
Layla's Pov
I stood up, not knowing which way I should go—the grass I had waded through no longer exposed my footfalls.
The Seth wolf stepped away when the reddish-brown wolf, whom I now knew as Jacob, stomped in his general direction, letting out a short growl.
After keeping this secret from me for months, I decided to mess with them.
The chocolatey brown one stepped closer. I assumed he was either Quil or Embry, but I wasn't sure who was which.
"Hey, Wolf Bear." Jacob lifted his head at the childish nickname I gave him and twisted his ears towards me.
"Is that your mate? She's pretty." I pointed at the smaller chocolate brown one.
The Jacob wolf snorted, and the larger grey wolf with black markings in the face burst into barking resembling laughter.
The brown one I referred to grumbled and stomped in displeasure.
I covered my mouth to stifle laughter. Jacob grumbled a low growl. "Okay, okay, sorry." I stepped back slowly and sheepishly, smiling.
Dusk was creeping into the woods, and I needed to find a way out before the last light, or I'd wander all night.
As I turned my head, the Seth wolf whined, alerting them of my dilemma.
Jacob's Pov
Embry was still hysterically laughing at Quil and I's demise. "Is there something you guys aren't telling me?" He snickered.
Quil nipped at his hind legs, ready to grapple. "I don't think Layla knows where she's going. It's getting dark, and the drop-off isn't too far." Seth noted, worried.
I leaped forward and trotted to find her stumbling in the pending darkness.
I herded her towards the main road, where she had parked.
Days later
Seth's Pov
"I need you to keep an eye on Layla again. I have an Autoshop lesson I can't skip-" Jacob explained, torn.
Layla has been acting suspiciously and venturing off independently lately, so it was up to me to keep tabs on her.
"I got this," I assured him. Layla was a good friend when she was around, so I was almost as curious as Jake to see what the hold-up was.
He thanked me and left while I followed Jake's imprint around town: to the gym with Rowan and the post office, and then she returned to the deep woods where EJ awaited picnic basket in hand.
I shifted, following them in wolf form to a vast field with protruding boulders. It took me a moment to realize this was the place of the battle of the newborns.
"Ready?" EJ questioned. "I think so." Layla sighed, brushing out the wrinkles in the checkered blanket.
"I thought this would improve everything." he patted the basket. "It does. Thank you, EJ." "Let's get started. I must warn you... it's not something you'll like."
"I didn't think so. I appreciate you being honest with me." Layla smiled warily.
They joined hands as if they were meditating or praying.
Around 30 minutes later
Then Layla gasped and then jerked away. "I don't have to show you the rest-" EJ leaned forward, brushing her cheek.
"I know, but I need to know." "Okay, give me a minute." EJ pulled out the basket of food.
Layla didn't touch it, pulling her drooping coat up to block the breeze. When she looked around the clearing, I crouched lower to conceal myself.
"Please eat." EJ held up a tea cake and bottled water. She hesitantly took one.
"Again," Layla breathed, her hands sliding into his. EJ's face twisted more than hers, this time like he was forced to eat a lemon.
Layla gripped his hands tighter to where both their knuckles turned white, and they leaned so far forward that their foreheads were touching.
Ten minutes later, Layla fell into him. As EJ held her, his innocent face became forlorn, and bizarre as it looked, it seemed like he was shedding her tears.
"Layla." He croaked. "I'm sorry." She apologized. "I don't think this is good for you." EJ frowned. "Please, EJ, I'll be good. I-"
"I know it's the principle of the matter." He swallowed back the emotion. When Layla sat up, he pulled out a concealed drink.
She waited patiently, pulling herself together and taking deep breaths. Whatever they were doing, it began again.
Layla's Pov
I saw it all: Jacob declaring his love for Bella, him forcing a kiss, and her breaking a knuckle on his face—then there was the Cullens unlikely team up with the shape-shifting wolves. Training for the newborn army created and soon to be sent by Victoria. In this field, Bella set up a trail of her blood for the newborns to follow—the unusual snowstorm the night before the battle. Bella requiring Jacob's warmth from the whipping wintery storm and sub zero temperatures. Edward and Jacob's awkward conversation in the tent.
Now, EJ was showing me the following morning, the day of the battle. The vision was less blurry than it was in the tent, where Bella's memories were mostly sounds.
Edward and Jacob's truce was over. Edward, reminiscing about his engagement with Bella, was in earshot of Jacob via Pack Mind through Seth.
The piercing, sorrowful cry in the vision made me recoil, and a shiver rolled down my spine at the sound. EJ flinched with me, feeling what I did.
Bella begged Edward to retrieve Jacob to explain things. Seth paced the camp. Then Jacob came back, and they wandered off to talk. Bella tried to sort things out, but Jake threatened to end his life in the pending battle, thus provoking Bella to kiss him—and she did—and they did.
Watching it unfold made something inside of me snap and wrench away in the wrong direction.
Jake's elated face and promise to return with a brief, sweet kiss. Bella's shame in facing Edward again, who could read the pack's thoughts, including Jacob's.
I sat numbly watching EJ's vision of Edward's narration of the battle into his own with Victoria. After that, his report was on the pack and the enclosing Voltori.
'What happened, Edward?' Bella asked. 'Leah was acting stupid cocky. She tried to take on a newborn by herself. Jacob came to help her, and the vampire got a grip on him, crushing half the bones in his body. Sam's making him shift back so Carlisle can treat him after we deal with the visit from Italy.'
We heard a rustling in the woods. Across the field, a blur of grey fur whooshed by. My stomach sank.
I hoped it wasn't Rowan or one of the wolves. 'Seth.' EJ communicated through his ability. "We should go," I whispered, getting up with haste.
EJ stuffed everything in the basket and easily caught up with me, running into the woods and heading toward my car.
"They're not supposed to be here," EJ said, referring to their treaty.
It made me think that perhaps it wasn't Seth then but Rowan instead. I didn't get a good look, so I didn't know for sure.
My eyes began to sting with fresh tears. I hoped this didn't ruin things for EJ and his family. All because I couldn't stop digging into someone else's past.
I hoped this would be the last time I fell apart in front of EJ, too. I saw how my own feelings were wracking his nerves today.
The tears spilled over on the highway. EJ consoled me, "It's okay, it's okay."
I pulled over on the side of the road, close to his house, when my vision became too blurry to drive safely.
"I didn't mean to hurt you. I wish I hadn't shown you—" EJ patted my back as I leaned over the steering wheel, trying to ease my breathing.
"It's not you. Sometimes, the truth hurts... We'll do something fun next time, okay?"
"Okay, take care, Layla." He kissed my cheek in a final attempt to comfort me. EJ left to walk the rest of the way.
He knew I wanted to be alone for this part.
Sitting in my car, I felt obligated to call Rowan. I had to verify if he was in the woods with us this afternoon while I was still here.
I wasn't in any state to do this, but I needed to warn the Cullens if a werewolf was heading their way.
He answered immediately, "If it isn't the lovely Layla, how's it getting on?"
There was no way he was in the clearing then.
I heard Iris complaining in the background while the TV was barring. He was home, so it was Seth, like EJ said.
I sniffed, about to cry again, but out of relief. "I, uh, just wanted to hear your voice." He heard the catch in mine.
"What's the matter?" Rowan demanded calmly, not to alert Iris. "I can't explain it," I sniffed into a whiney cry.
"Come meet me."
I had cried most of myself out before I saw him. I refused to enter the house, waiting for him outside.
I shouldn't have come here initially, but I had alerted Rowan in the wrong state.
"So, tell me." Rowan's concern flashed in his silver eyes.
I drove us to a familiar dead-end street and parked so we could talk uninterrupted and unprovoked by Iris, who would have way more intuitive questions.
"Sometimes, I have these memories, dreams to deal with. Somedays, I can't...I can't-" I didn't think I had any tears left in me.
"Come here." Rowan reached over to hold me. "I'm up most nights. You know, you can always call on me. We'll find a way to distract ourselves."
Rowan invited me to stay the night at the Turstin house.
He had convinced Aunt Anne that the werewolf legends were true. So far, she was excited and ecstatic that they were, and she hadn't gotten off the phone with family overseas for details since then. In the meantime, Rowan had been distracting Iris from it all.
"I can't always control the invisibility thing," my hands faded on the wheel.
"Being out in public won't help, either," he countered, convincing me to stay until I returned to normal.
I caved, keeping to myself in Rowan's room. I sat invisibly curled up on the floor.
I vaguely listened to the household chatter and pulled some stuff off the nightstand to distract myself from my own heartbreak.
The first was Caleb's flyer, the others were letters I didn't want to pry into, and the last was a photo sticking out from a drawer.
I uncrumpled it and flipped it over to see three friends. A stunning girl who looked like winter, with alabaster skin, dark ebony hair, Thick brows, and lashes framing deep-set light blue eyes. Her arms wrapped around Rowan and Zach, my brother. He knew my brother! I read the bubbly, girly handwriting on the back. 'The best boys I could ever ask for.'—Morrigan.
The door kicked open, and Rowan wedged in with a tray of food to set on the bed. "I thought you might be hungry," he rasped in a whisper.
I stood up, still invisible, and tossed the photo into the food. When I released it, it appeared for him to see.
I stomped for the door. I could only ingest so much truth-discovery in one day. Here, I thought I could trust Rowan.
"Stop!" He hissed the whisper, closing the door before I could leave. I reappeared, running into it face first.
Rowan pinned me behind the door with his body. "Let. me. go."
"We're not supposed to say anything to anyone about turn year," He explained.
"You know how worried I've been!" I hissed in a whisper. "I did vaguely tell you where he was." Rowan defended lightly.
"Layla?" Iris was on the other side of the door.
"I'm on the phone, idiot." Rowan lied, gently pulled me aside, and I turned invisible as he opened the door.
"You're hearing more from her than I do these days." she accused. Backing out of the room, Iris stopped snatching the flyer.
"Did you guys plan on going without me?" She accused.
"You can take it. I know you want to hang the poster above your bed, so you can stare into his dreamy eyes and-" Rowan berated Iris until she retreated to her bedroom.
I attempted to run out of Rowan's room again, only to run into him directly. He grappled me in and locked the door behind us.
"You were going to go to the concert without me to hunt too, weren't you?" I reappeared when he shoved me to sit on the bed.
Rowan stabilized the tray and pushed it to the side. "It's a good cover as any. With a crowd like that, I can catch them off guard."
We did agree we'd do things his way, I reminded myself.
"Who's she?" I mumbled, picking the photo from the stew. "Ah, the two-faced wolf."
"Wait, your ex-girlfriend was a werewolf?" "Is it that surprising to date one of our kind?" He mumbled.
"Wait. Why so curious?" Rowan smirked. "I thought you said woman can't be wolves." "It's rare but not impossible."
After eating, I made the mistake of lying on Rowan's bed, and my eyelids grew heavy during his storytelling.
La Push High, The next day
Blades of grass sliced my ankles with their cold morning dew, making them numb the more I waded through.
The icy mist stung, forcing me to pull my jacket up around my face. At least the winter air would help me stay awake.
I had fallen asleep on Rowan while he retold stories of him and Zach in the Alps.
He stuffed me in his covers while he laid on top, draping one arm over me loosely. Of course, I was mortified when I woke up.
Rowan also said he had to smother me with a pillow a few times to keep me from sleeptalking so much.
When I asked about what I said, he shrugged, saying it was just a bunch of nonsense, but he'd be glad to kick anyone's ass that was stressing me out that much, which made me believe he did hear about Jacob in some way.
Once inside the school, I ripped off my coat. Noticing it was one of Jake's old ones, I draped it over my arm and headed to my first class.
Anxiety spread in my chest. I had to act normal and wasn't sure I could do that today.
I sat down in the only vacant seat in the front row. I felt eyes burning into the back of my head.
Why did I have more classes with them this semester?
It was easier to meet Seth's gaze first. His friendly face smoothed into concern, while Jacob's black eyes were almost condemning.
Looking away, it felt like another weighted stone dropped in my lap, securing the other secrets I was already keeping.
My knuckles turned red, and I gripped my bag tightly. "Syd said you had another sleepover." Jacob's statement was an accusation.
"Um, yeah." The gaping emotional wound in my core twisted, provoked by the serrated knife of Bella's memories.
Even with that pain, I was surprised my feelings for Jacob weren't crushed into oblivion.
I almost hated myself for opening this Pandora's box, but it's not like I couldn't approach the topic with Jacob.
Where would I begin to explain? EJ's gift was his secret; I was sure he wanted to keep it hidden.
"I don't like it," he said. "You don't have to," I mumbled bitterly.
This took Jacob by surprise. Usually, I consoled him or tried to make up for my shortcomings.
"I shouldn't do too many school nights, though." I amended, still not addressing him head-on.
"Layla, what's gotten into you?" He nudged me forcefully so that I would look at him. His magnetizing touch sent warmth up my arm, making me gasp.
I could feel hurt and disappointment manifest on my face. "I'm sorry I-" Jacob let go, thinking that he had hurt me physically.
"Don't." I ran to the girls' bathroom. My breathing became erratic, and invisibility set in.
This happened intermittently for the remaining week when Jacob tried to talk to me.
It was physically draining and emotionally taxing. Where one day, I slipped up.
Tiffany, Paige, and Camille kept pestering me about Rowan, saying that girls from his school were swearing up and down that he said we were dating.
"Yeah, sure, we're dating." The dry sarcasm flew out of my mouth.
I thought I was off the hook, but gossip in this boring town was currency.
Tiffany took my change literally. Camille cashed it in, but Molly took the credit and ran with it.
"Wow, things must be boring," Embry stated, turning a page in our English book.
Jacob leaned toward me when I didn't dissipate the rumors. "Tell me she's kidding." He said. My plan was to ignore th gossip, but either way, I was screwed.
"Um..." Jake was too stunned to speak. I grabbed my things and ran out of the classroom to call Rowan.
I had to get to the bottom of this.
My body was humming when I locked myself in the small bathroom. I checked all the stalls as my reflection faded in the mirror.
Pacing the tiled floor, Rowan picked up on the second ring. I began babbling into the receiver.
"What the hell do you think you're doing? Telling people we're dating. I didn't say yes to that plan, and now I'm turning invisible at school. Jake doesn't believe me and-"
"Calm down. Are you somewhere safe? Did anyone see or unsee you?" He asked.
"I don't think so. I'm in the girls' room near the school entrance." "Pull yourself together. I'll take care of things from here. Just go along with it."
That was ten minutes ago. I didn't know how or what Rowan would do to solve this.
When the final bell rang, I joined the bustling hall. "You have to be joking about this," Jacob said, catching me on the front steps.
Just then, a motorcycle rumbled up the road. "Who has the BMW R1200?" Quil whistled.
Rowan had for sure blown my secret stash of cash I'd been smuggling from the vampire's donations.
Now, I was almost as furious as Jacob when I saw him.
Rowan made a show of things. Parking on the sidewalk, he pulled off his helmet, swinging his damp auburn-brown hair.
Some of the girls stopped on the steps and stared at his beauty.
I waved for his attention. He climbed the steps two at a time; his crooked smile widened, and his eyes shone mischievously.
"Rowan! I-" He kissed me full on the mouth, dipping me down so far that my head brushed the ground.
My arms flailed for stability, grabbing his shoulders and then around his neck.
When Rowan stood me upright, my head swam.
We hardly disconnected when a fist the size of a brick made contact with Rowan's jaw.
I screamed. Two arms snatched me out of the way before an all-out brawl took place.
Rowan staggered back from Jacob's strike. He spit some blood out, and with an eager expression, he was ready to retaliate.
"No! Don't!" I jerked in Seth's arms. "That was cutting it close, Jake!" Seth growled.
Rowan fought back with an uppercut and jabbed at Jake's core, knocking him backward off the railing. Jacob's long arms dragged Rowan over with him.
"Embry! Do something!" I begged one of them. Someone was about to get seriously hurt.
Both were fast; Jacob had more endurance, but Rowan was strong. After their first punches, any semblance of holding back was lessening.
A large crowd of students gathered around, leaving a much-needed space for the fight they cheered on.
"Seth, let me go," I demanded. "No." Seth's bear hug locked into place. His face was grave, watching them carefully.
"Jake's not in his right mind. He'd never endanger you like that," he mumbled.
From what I could see, Quil looked like he wanted to jump in. Embry, who was trying to stop the fight before faculty got involved, was elbowed in the face by Jake.
He fell to the ground, cursing and bleeding.
"Stop it!" I cried out in the noise. Rowan and Jacob were locked in, about to strike each other with a hefty blow.
"Help!" I shrieked to gain their attention. Rowan slowed his kick to Jacob's ribs. Jacob's swing didn't fully land.
Rowan staggered away, gripping his nose, and looked for me. Jacob stumbled forward, cursing and grabbing his side; he looked for me, too, but the crowd blocked his line of sight.
The principal came running down the steps with backup behind him. Seth finally released me, and I fled down the steps.
Rowan, face bleeding, grabbed me by my waist. He sat me on his new motorcycle while he flung himself on.
In a few swift movements, his helmet was on, kickstand was up, and the engine was revved.
Then we were going 60 mph in 60 seconds down the highway.
Part 3 The Bad Guy
"What the hell was that?!" I yelled at him. "That's what I want to know!" He growled, spitting. Rowan ripped his helmet off and chucked it into the ground.
Dried blood ran down his nose and neck. His clothes were spotty in places that already healed.
"That guy isn't human. He's a freak-" Rowan strung out more curses, pacing whatever hiking trail he pulled off on.
He was so mad we flew fast down the highway, and I didn't know where we were now.
We could have been in Oregon for all I knew.
Thunder rolled in the distance; the clouds weren't heavy enough to disperse rain.
I really wanted to rip into him about the bike purchase, but now wasn't the time. I intended to let Rowan calm down, but glaring at him didn't help.
"I was going to prove my point-" He started out. "In a dick-swinging contest? You realize-" I retorted anyway.
"Yeah, yeah. My werewolf strength; I could have killed him. I'm sure he's in the hospital now." With a grim smile, that was the closest apology Rowan would give.
"Not just that. You could get suspended or expelled. I thought werewolves were supposed to be secretive!" I groaned.
"You're taking this well," Rowan noted. "You forget who my brother is." I scoffed.
His smile faded, and he purposefully cracked his neck and joints as if parts of him were popping back into place.
"That Jacob guy has a surprisingly good left hook," Rowan grumbled the reluctant compliment. "About Jacob... there is something I have to tell you-"
"A fucking shapeshifter?-" I cut Rowan off from his flood of questions.
"They don't know that I know. Okay?" "Keep it that way," he hissed. "I saw them shift. There's a whole pack."
Rowan's fury didn't make sense to me. "I haven't known long, Rowan; I-" My hands flew up in defense.
"I need you to stay away from 'em." He spoke through his teeth. "If I had half a mind, I'd ship you off to the Kilkenny first thing tomorrow."
"What's wrong with a few extra wolves? Can't they help?" I asked. "No. Shapeshifters are tricksters at best and treacherous murderous thieves at their worst."
"I don't understand."
He explained that warlocks who practiced dark magic could shift into counterfeit wolves using a werewolf hide, which they can only obtain by killing one.
"They don't use pelts to shift," I explained. "The hides can also be made into clothing, like belts." Rowan went on. "They don't need belts either." I defended.
"Their legends say another thing. I would know I am half Quilute." Rowan's harshness lessened when he saw I was telling the truth.
I hadn't noticed it before, but the rain had collected above us.
"I still don't trust 'em. You're to stay away from those shady shifters." Rain water sputtered out his mouth.
"It's kind of hard to do when I live in their territory." I shivered, my hair clung to my face, and goosebumps gathered on my arms.
"It's a good thing we're dating then." Rowan shoved the helmet over my damp hair.
Jacob's Pov
I grunted, turning over in my bed and waiting for my ribs to reset. If I hadn't broken every bone on half my body before, this would have sucked.
I'd do it again for her, but that Rowan guy wasn't normal. My first punch should have sent him sucking through a straw for months.
I fondled the charm Layla made me above my bed. What had gotten into her? Hawaii felt like some sort of pleasant fever dream.
When did they have time to meet? How were they together, and why?
I closed my eyes, focusing on breathing as my muscles tightened around joints and bruises lifted.
"Hey, Billie. Is Jake okay?" My imprint's dulcet voice lifted me from the nap I was about to take. "Yes, he's in his room."
Her footsteps on the hardwood echo closer, and my door creaked, indicating her arrival. I kept my eyes closed.
"Jake? Are you okay?" Layla whispered, the bed dipping on the side.
My imprint ran her hand along my cheek. I caught her hand there and opened my eyes to see Layla's dark hair dripping wet over me.
She was dressed in someone else's clothes, his t-shirt. My jaw tightened at the scent. "I know you're mad at me, but I had to see if you were okay."
"What happened?" I asked. Layla dropped her gaze. I felt a ring on her finger, silver in the shape of hands holding a heart. I went to tug it off, but she closed her fist.
"Please. Don't make this harder than it needs to be." I sucked in a sharp breath and winced as a bone popped back into place.
"Jake!" She was too weak to shove me down on the bed.
"Tell me you're not engaged." I groaned, sitting up. "I'm not. Of course not," My tense body relaxed at her response.
"Then are you in love with him?" I questioned, assessing her every move. "I don't know; we're just dating." Layla stumbled over her words.
Removing her touch, she twisted the ring on her finger nervously. "I should go. I'm sorry, Jake." Her lower lip quivered.
"Layla, wait-"
Layla's Pov
I thought doing the right thing would make me feel less shitty. It didn't. And what I thought was best for Jacob made me a villain in his eyes and mine.
Glares and whispers shrouded me. I wasn't sure how good I could be at being the bad guy. How long could I weave information, wield lies, and hide?
It was tedious and exhausting. I wanted to practice the truth and live honestly, but I was beginning to lose sight of what that meant to me.
With a vampire ensuring my future demise, what choices do I really have?
It's not like Rowan would let the shapeshifting wolves help, and I didn't need them running Rowan off, either.
Currently, I sat in English. The lights dimmed to watch a portion of Les Miserable the movie. It couldn't have been more fitting.
I was no longer a shiny Cosette everyone liked; I was an Eponine lurking around every corner, watching my Marius in the dark where I would have to stay.
Before encountering EJ's gift, I had always wondered what Jacob was like when I wasn't around. I didn't know how much it would hurt to find out.
EJ wanted to wait until next week before continuing our sessions. He said there were two more, but I would most definitely want another break between.
I bit the edges of my nails.
I silently wondered if I was a masochist; if I wasn't torturing myself, I was always putting myself in danger another way.
Iris's Pov
"Catch her a break." Rowan attempted to calm me down. "She's my friend! Why do you have to ruin everything?!" I huffed, marching down the stairs.
Layla was meeting me for a walk, which I was unwilling to do in the rain, but I wanted answers from her alone. "Let them go, Rowan." My mom held him back.
I met her in my stiff yellow parka on a small trail at the end of the street. Layla was already there in her red hood, which contrasted with the greenery.
"I asked you in the diner a week ago—"It's hard to explain," Layla stated. "No, it's not. I know what my cousin's like." I grumbled.
"Rowan always overshadows me. All I had was my height to Lord over him, and now he's run off with my only friend." "Iris, it's not what you think."
"Are you still going to stand there and lie to me?" I cut her off again. The same excuse was getting me heated.
Layla pressed her lips together like she was smoothing chapstick. "I want to tell you the truth, but Rowan doesn't want me to."
"What do you mean?" I stopped short to walk around a huge puddle. Layla hopped over it.
"I think you should know. If not for your safety. You can choose whether to be around us or not."
I gave her the most skeptical look I could muster.
"Your family legends are true. Rowan's one of them and he's only one who can help me."
Okay, I wasn't expecting that.
"You're joking. This is a prank you guys are pulling." "How'd you guess!" Rowan looped an arm around our necks and splashed in the puddle behind us.
"Jaysus Rowan!" I complained; my jeans were now covered in filth. "No. Tell her, Rowan!" Layla was getting upset for a minor prank.
"Don't listen to her. She's a waffler."
"Fine, I'll show her." Layla shrugged off his arm and backed up, checking her surroundings. "Don't," Rowan groaned in defeat.
Before my eyes, Layla disappeared. I cleaned my spotted eyeglasses with my shirt, but she was still invisible.
When she picked up pieces of my hair, I screamed, falling back into the mess of a puddle.
Rowan laughed while helping me up. An apologetic Layla came into view too close, making me fall in again.
"Explain. Now!" I demanded, slapping the muddy water with my hands.
Back at the house, I sat caked in mud at the kitchen table. Even my fecking mother was in on this.
"You're a werewolf? Figures. I always thought you were a hairy beast, but I was thinking maybe more like a wild boar."
"Very funny." Rowan rolled his eyes. My mom, Anne, nervously laughed and narrowed her eyes at Layla. "Somethings were meant to be a secret."
"I thought she should know," Layla mumbled, arms crossed. "Are you afraid, my sweet pumpkin?" Anne let out a long breath.
"He's always been freaky. What scared me the most was Layla-" Rowan shook his head no. "Telling me." I finished following his queue.
"Let's give her time to let the werewolf stuff sink in," Rowan said. "Well, now you know why your cousin doesn't have a curfew." Anne sighed out of relief.
I had so much catching up to do. By the end of the evening, I had more questions than concerns.
This was better news; besides the vampire my mother didn't know Rowan was hunting.
He and Layla filled me in more when she retired to her room. Apparently, Rowan was to take out a coven in Seattle on his own.
"You don't have any werewolf friends you can call to help?" I asked. "That's where things get complicated." Rowan refused to say more with Layla around.
"There are shapeshifting wolves in La Push-" What Layla said provoked a heated debate with Rowan. I sat listening in for the details I couldn't weigh in on.
Rowan wrapped it up and sent Layla off. "Please, be careful. Call me when you get home, and don't talk to anyone."
"It's almost like you actually fancy her." I snickered when Layla left. When Rowan turned around, I swear he blushed and stomped upstairs.
I shoved his shoulder in the hall. "You do, don't you?" All that teasing aside, it seemed like he was more than interested.
"Are you planning on spilling secrets all night or what?" "Dating is a ploy, isn't it?" I blurted out.
"This is why I didn't want you involved in this. You stick your nose in everything." He slammed his bedroom door.
"Don't hurt her, Row." I mumbled on the other side. "I won't. How can I? When she's in love with someone else."
That was the first time Rowan divulged anything personal, probably the last.
I turned around and left him alone for now. "It's Jacob Black, isn't it?" I whispered.
Layla's Pov
"You didn't call," Rowan had broken into the house. Fortunately, I was dressed and it was too late for Syd to be awake.
"What are you doing? Someone could have seen you!"
"Your old man's asleep, and the back door was open. I wanted to check out the local monsters myself."
"Did they catch you?" I stood, arms crossed. "No, I rode my bike. They're in the woods surrounding the property." Rowan explained.
"I'm fine. You should go back."
"What happened to scheming?" Rowan asked; my back touched the dresser.
"Or do you want me to go alone?" He said, tilting my chin up to face him. My contact was out, so I blinked, looking away.
"I'll drive." I finally found my voice.
"Good, we'll go on Saturday." Rowan didn't step away. "Valentine's Day?" I asked.
"It's a date. By the way, I like your mismatched eyes. I know I didn't say much before, but they suit you."
"Thank you, but is there something you want out of this?" Nervously, I switched topics. His charming wolfish smile faded.
"Would you like me to hire a personal investigator for your mom, too?" I asked, wanting to help him out in some way, too.
"You what?" He dropped my chin and pinched my cheeks instead. "I wanted to find her-"
"Your mother will turn up eventually if she wants to be found. Any human research you do is in vain and could potentially blow her cover." He let my face go.
"Oh, I didn't think—" "That's right, you don't think," Rowan said. "You should go," I said sternly.
"Layla—"I'm tired of you treating me like I'm stupid! I'm learning about the whole werewolf thing, okay?"
"Right. I'm sorry, but you must know I wasn't alright with you telling Iris. That changes things."
"She deserves to know. You realize we could be here today and gone tomorrow, and Iris would've been all alone wondering what the hell happened." I looked up into Rowan's molten mercury eyes.
"Okay." He pulled me into an embrace. It made me feel self-conscious, but I guess comfort was comfort, and his arms weren't so bad.
"I'm going to take care of it," Rowan whispered reassuringly into my ear, my nails digging into his shirt. "If you get hurt or worse, I'll—" I whispered.
"You'll what, martyr? Turn into my great avenger?" He chuckled. Wordlessly, I hugged him tighter.
Sunday
I waited for Iris and Rowan in the corner cafe. I contemplated the menu when an icy hand lowered the piece of plastic.
"Caleb?" "I told you we'd keep in touch." His crimson eyes seemed dull compared to other times I have seen him. I glanced around, hoping no one would see.
"Niccolo is restlesss. First, two vampires were killed on New Year's Eve, and then a few more shriveled up into corpses after drinking a bad bag of blood. He thinks the Voltori are behind this." He informed me.
"The what?" I pretended to play dumb.
"The vampire underworld leaders of the globe. He and most of the elites in his coven have beef with them and want to rule this side of the world if not one day overtake them." Caleb whispered harshly and quickly.
"I tried the holy water," I mumbled. "I heard about that. Niccolo keeps your blood to himself, so it wasn't yours." Caleb frowned.
"And?" I fished for any other new news. "There have been some stray vampires passing through; be careful."
I nodded. A tall shadow overtook us in the moody cafe lighting.
Rowan glowered down at Caleb, who stood up to leave. "It was Good to see you, Layla. Until we meet again."
Iris stared wide-eyed behind him. "Was that?" she scrambled into the booth. "Mmhm," I confirmed.
Rowan sat, wrapping an arm around me. Caleb stole one last glance before leaving.
"Are you alright?" he questioned. "I'm fine." "Then I'll be right back." Rowan went to hunt him down.
"No, don't. Rowan, He's my inside guy." I clung to his arm so he wouldn't leave. He nearly dragged me out of the booth with him.
"You're mental. How do you know he's not compelled to be your 'little friend' to spy on you?" Rowan had a valid point.
"Not even his kind like to be manipulated like that. He wants to be free; I want to be free." It's a win-win situation. I thought.
"Or a lose-lose." Iris took my menu. "Don't tell me you've made a deal with a vampire?" Rowan rasped lowly.
"Like I had any other options before I met you. Besides, I'm not afraid. Caleb owes me."
Then, I explained Rowan's success in his blood donation. I thought he would be more excited about it.
"He could be lying." He stated. "Why would he?" I asked.
"Compulsion, or he could be trying to find who the donor's destructive blood could be." Iris proceeded.
"You're too trusting, Layla." Rowan shook his head, still inching away from me. My body dragged along with him.
"Can I pick up our drinks?" he asked me, but Iris got up instead. Rowan sighed, bringing us comfortably together into the booth.
"What did I say about doing things my way? If I see that vampire again, the hunt is on." He said.
I didn't like it, but Rowan vowed to exterminate all vampires as a werewolf. He couldn't go against his nature or creed to protect humanity.
But I had to wonder if all vampires were evil. There were the Cullens who lived in peace and fed on animals alone, although I didn't know if they had always been that way. From what I had witnessed, Caleb seemed like a victim, and I didn't think he was lying or under compulsion, either.
I knew what that felt like personally, and I've seen it play out on others secondhand.
Iris slid her glasses up as we mulled over Rowan's plan. I'm sure he was still leaving out some details to spare us.
"You should look out for cameras on the dock," Iris recommended. "I'd be a good distraction. Plus, I know the alleys they take to their personal blood bank." I added.
"Then I could be the getaway driver." Iris nodded. "Hold on. I didn't say you two could come." Rowan halted our additions.
"I'll tell mom." Iris crossed her arms. Rowan frowned, and his nostrils flared.
"You can't bring Anne into his. I won't allow the council to catch wind. They need to be solving my father's murder." That silenced anything I had to say.
"If you do tell her, by all means, they'll be here, and I'll be there, and both of you will be recorded to the matchmakers for the next best werewolf bachelor by the time you're twenty."
"What?" Iris's dark blue eyes bulged. I felt my brows twist in confusion.
Rowan got up to use the restroom, leaving us to ponder this new information.
"I thought this was about his poor reputation with the council. He's trying to keep us a secret then." Iris thought aloud.
Since she lived with Rowan, I'm sure Iris had extorted more information out of him. "A secret from what?" I asked.
"I assume wifey duties to keep the werewolf genetics strong. Rowan knows the supernatural world more than we do. I bet he's sparing us the headache if we don't want to join the veil." Iris explained.
"You don't want to be a part of it?" I questioned. "I enjoy speculation on the outside, from a scientific researcher's point of view."
"What about you?" She asked. My mouth fell open in confusion.
I was from a lineage of werewolves, in love with a shapeshifting wolf who may or may not love me, and I felt loyalty and obligation to Rowan, my new co-conspirator.
"I don't know. I want things to return to normal, but I don't know how that may be." I finally answered. Iris smiled sympathetically.